Midler and Lauper Headline Gala Raising $2 Million for New York Parks
The October 23 event at The Glasshouse supported NYRP's mission to expand equitable access to nature across the five boroughs.
By Riya Zhao ·
Bette Midler and Cyndi Lauper performed at The Glasshouse on October 23 to support the New York Restoration Project. The annual Hulaween gala raised more than $2 million for the organization. The funds will advance equitable access to nature across the five boroughs of New York City.
The event featured a marine-themed costume contest judged by Isaac Mizrahi and Rachel Antonoff. Allie Provost, dressed as a Rainbow Fish, and Tripp Swanhouse, in an Out of the Sea costume, took top honors. Swanhouse’s outfit, which won Best Upcycled Costume, demonstrated the reuse of materials. The atmosphere encouraged guests to embrace imaginative excess.
Midler founded the New York Restoration Project in 1995. The organization operates parks and community gardens that support urban agriculture, educational programs, performances, and food distribution. These spaces serve as gathering places for neighbors to share harvests and observe seasonal changes in local flora. The group aims to ensure that every resident has a welcoming place to encounter the natural world.
Staff and volunteers perform the physical labor required to maintain these sites. They restore shorelines, clear refuse, and tend to gardens through the seasons. The organization reports removing more than six million pounds of trash. It has also built or restored over 350 public green spaces. More than 1.6 million residents now live within a ten-minute walk of these sites.
Midler presented the Wind Beneath My Wings Award to trustees Sophie von Haselberg and Harry Guinness. Von Haselberg has been involved with the organization since the age of eight. She spoke to the audience about the obligation to care for the environment and one another. She emphasized that even modest contributions can have a wide impact. She directed credit to the field workers who maintain the spaces.
Mario Cantone served as the emcee for the evening. Performers included Jessica Vosk, Sydney James Harcourt, Will Lee and The Root System, and Cyndi Lauper. Lauper’s set included “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” which prompted a lively response on the dance floor. House of Yes and DJ Boyyyish provided entertainment later in the night.
The gala relied on private donors and patrons of the arts and civic life. Their contributions support the daily operations and expansion of the network. The organization continues to work on making green spaces accessible to residents without requiring purchase or membership. The next morning, gardeners would return to their sites to continue tending the land.
The New York Restoration Project maintains its presence through consistent physical work and community engagement. The funds raised on October 23 will support these ongoing efforts. The organization remains focused on providing free, accessible nature experiences for the city’s population.
